Club Pilates

Bios

• 

  Lindsey Donnelly

  Lindsey's love of fitness started at three-years-old when she began swimming competitively. Growing up in a musical family sparked her love for theater and she earned her BA in acting in 2010. While working with various Shakespearean companies in Maryland and Massachusetts, Lindsey discovered her passion for Pilates and quickly learned how challenging small and precise movements can be. Lindsey is classically trained through Power Pilates and is well-versed in a myriad of injuries and limitations. Lindsey strongly believes that Pilates is for every body and uniquely builds strength from the inside out. Lindsey currently lives with her husband Wes and rescue pup Koda in Arlington.

• 

  Lizette Ayala

  Lizette Ayala, Health and Well-Being Coach, is focused on helping people move better and feel better, not just about their bodies but about themselves. Originally from Brooklyn, NY, she moved to the DC area in 2002 to embark on a wellness career starting with comprehensive Pilates training from the PhysicalMind Institute. Her certification in Mat and Equipment Pilates later expanded to include certifications in Yoga (RYT500), Well-Being Coach, Mental Health First Aid, meditation and mindfulness, mediation, sound healing, energy healing, and aromatherapy. Lizette’s interdisciplinary degree from George Mason University in Health, Healing and Well-Being, incorporates positive psychology and well-being practices with public health theories, and mediation principles. She teaches self-management, resilience and self-healing through holistic and conventional coaching methods. Lizette is happiest when creating stress-management and self-care plans for her clients, teaching, walking in nature, and helping her girl scouts learn leadership skills through community service.

• 

  Jill Hughes

  Jill was introduced to Pilates as a young dancer in NY while attending SUNY Purchase Fine Arts Program and enjoyed the benefits of improved core strength and stability for hyper mobile joints. Later, as a dance instructor and choreographer, Jill incorporated Pilates moves to enhance flexibility for dancers and ice skaters. Today Pilates reformer exercises keeps her pain free from poorly tracking knee caps and is a fulfilling career. She also has a passion for whole foods plant based cooking, nutrition, and education and has a certificate in Plant Based Nutrition from Cornell University. Jill is an instructor at Club Pilates in Loudoun County and a graduate of the Club Pilates Teacher Training Program. She also completed a certification in Leslie Bender's, Barre Above program. Early on, Jill was an HR Generalist and Leadership Development Specialist and achieved an MA in Training, Curriculum Design and Human Resources Development. In her free time, she spends time with her family, cooks with friends, assists with her daughter's ice skating team (Pilates and costuming) and volunteers in Community Theater.

• 

  Monique Fortunato

  Monique began her Pilates journey nine years ago after suffering from a serious lupus flare-up. She noticed how the benefits of Pilates, including building strength and increasing flexibility, started to change her body physically and mentally on a day-to-day basis. Through this life changing experience, Monique wanted to share and teach the joy of Pilates and decided to become an instructor. She received her Pilates mat, reformer with tower, chair, and small prop certification in the spring of 2010 through Mind Body Workshop. She began teaching classes at Gold’s Gym and later moved on to private Pilates training. She later received her Level 1 Certification for MVE Fitness Chair in August 2010 and Phase 1 Will Power and Grace certification in September 2010. She received her Level 1 Yoga training in June 2012 and Level 2 Yoga training in November 2012 through YogaFit. Monique is excited and honored to share with you the wonderful benefits of Pilates.

• 

  Addie Ungarretti

  Even though Addie Ungaretti knew how efficient and effective Pilates could be, she truly believes in its healing and strengthening abilities after rehabbing her own body after two pregnancies! Addie dove into the yoga and pilates world during graduate school at the George Washington University to supplement her running habit. After receiving her barre and Pilates mat training in 2008 and her 200-hour yoga certification in 2009, she realized that teaching was her true passion. In 2010, after some serious life changes gave her the push that she was looking for, she embarked on her comprehensive Pilates 700-hour certification through Quantum Pilates. Addie completed her training and received her PMA certification in 2013 and has since been able to learn from so many amazing teachers through workshops and trainings. Addie lives in Fairfax with her husband and two young daughters and can be found frequenting libraries and playgrounds as well as going for long (albeit toddler-paced) walks in the area.

• 

  Paola Maruca

  A native of Italy, Paola is a PMA®-Certified Pilates Teacher, a licensed Pilates for Buff Bones® Instructor, a Pilates for MS™ and other Neurological Diseases Specialist and a Franklin Method® Educator. Since becoming a Certified Pilates Instructor through the Physical Mind Institute® in New York in 2008, Paola has taught Pilates and workshops to a wide range of individuals and groups in both Italy and the U.S. Because she recognizes the importance of continued learning, she keeps current in fitness and Pilates studies by attending seminars and multiple trainings in the U.S. and abroad with some of the most distinguished and recognized Pilates and movement educators in the world. Paola strongly believes in the Pilates method having experienced it first as a client and a passionate instructor now. The continuing positive feedback she receives from her clients on how this wonderful method has improved their everyday life is the most rewarding aspect of her profession. Paola is specialized in Pilates for Osteoporosis, Scoliosis, Post Rehab, MS and other Neurological Diseases. Paola lives in Fairfax, Virginia with her husband Chris, their daughter Maya and their cat Leo.

• 

  Thuy (Twee) Burritt

  Thuy, pronounced ‘twee’, is American by passport, Vietnamese by birth, has lived many years abroad, including most recent twelve years in the United Arab Emirates. Thuy is a certified Pilates teacher by The Pilates Method Alliance and STOTT PILATES®, a Total Barre® instructor, and a certified Primal Health Coach. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Marketing. Thuy discovered Pilates after the birth of her second child, after suffering from nagging back pain which was result of Scoliosis in combination with significant Diastasis-Recti (stomach muscle separation after pregnancy). Armed with the realization that her journey to fitness and wellness could help others, Thuy put all her efforts into becoming a fully certified Pilates teacher and later a certified Primal Health Coach. For nearly ten years, Thuy worked in collaboration with local physicians, physical therapists and body work specialists to help hundreds of clients in Abu Dhabi, UAE. She offered private and group classes at her boutique studio and at several royal palaces. Thuy has been well known for her creative and nurturing teaching style. She and her family have recently moved back to their home in Manassas, Virginia.

• 

  Julie Karickhoff

  Julie Karickhoff is the Owner of Club Pilates and a Fairfax native who graduated from W.T. Woodson High School in 1993. She played lacrosse and was on the dance team in both high school and at Duke University. She graduated with a Masters in Business (MBA) from Georgetown University in 2002. After 20 years in corporate marketing at companies such as Disney, Warner Brothers, MCI Worldcom (now Verizon) and USAirways (now American), she wanted to combine her passion for pilates and her expertise in business. She discovered pilates after she broke her ankle and the physical therapist had her do “footwork” on the reformer to regain strength and flexibility. To become an instructor, she went through the Club Pilates teacher training program at the Club Pilates studio in Annapolis, MD.

• 

  Dagmar Riddick

  Originally, from the Czech Republic, Dagmar is a healthy beast! She competed in track & field and is a ballroom dancer. Variety is the spice of life; that adage applies to fitness training as well. Whether you are seeking overall physical fitness, a better appearance or more comfortable living, Dagmar can help you achieve your goals. She is a certified Pilates Mat, Reformer & Apparatus Instructor through Balanced Body University and is certified through the International Pilates Method Alliance (PMA), the highest honor in the industry. She is also a certified Yoga Instructor by Yogafit, and a certified Personal Trainer by the Aerobics & Fitness Association of America. She has a passion for helping people and did training to be a Cancer Exercise Specialist through the Cancer Exercise Training Institute as well!

• 

  Nancy Sanchez

  Nancy is a graduate from George Mason University with a BA in Fine Arts in Dance. Nancy got her start as a classically-trained ballet and modern dancer and spent ten-plus years touring and performing internationally with the DC-based Lesa McLaughlin and Dancers. She is a Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) Certified Pilates Teacher, a Balanced Body Pilates Master Instructor, Anatomy in Three Dimensions Master Instructor, ACE & NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Registered Yoga Teacher, 200hr. Besides yoga and pilates, Nancy’s favorite activities include walking, singing, learning guitar, and trying new things to keep her brain and body active

• 

  Betsy Novotny

  Betsy Novotny is an Oregon native. She has lived all over the United States and overseas living the life of an Air Force family, working as a pediatric nurse and exploring all the different things the world has to offer. After trying many different fitness styles Betsy discovered Pilates when this studio opened in August of 2018. She quickly found a connection and is the first Apprentice Instructor out of Teacher Training for our studio. She really enjoys the low impact nature of Pilates and getting creative with new ways to challenge and strengthen the body. Betsy also loves to travel, try new foods and new beers! One of the reasons she chose this path so she can stay forever fit and help others stay fit too!

• 

  Fiona James

  Originally from Scotland, Fiona has been an instructor of Pilates, Yoga and Barre for over 10 years. Her passion for fitness started when she was a music teacher in the north of Scotland. Fiona became a yoga teacher after moving to the USA in 2008, having completed her 200-hour training in Sivananda Yoga in the UK. While teaching yoga at a studio in Northern Virginia, Fiona was encouraged to try Pilates. Precise, detail-orientated and positive instruction from knowledgeable instructors kindled a love for Pilates that led Fiona to pursue her own teacher certification. Fiona completed her Pilates training in 2009 and has taught with precision and positivity at studios throughout Northern Virginia and Washington DC since that time. She has subsequently earned certifications in Core Barre, Core Align and TRX. Fiona lives in Alexandria with her husband and two young children. In addition to her regular Pilates and Barre practice, she and her family enjoy spending time outdoors: walking, canoeing, swimming and exploring nature.

• 

  Shalynn Burrill

• 

  Sydney Lastorino

  Sydney Lastorino is a Senior at George Mason University, School of Dance, pursuing a BFA in Modern and Contemporary dance. She began her professional studies at a young age with the New Jersey School of Ballet, and before joining Mason, was a student in Joffrey Ballet School’s Jazz and Contemporary Trainee Program. Sydney also trained at Peridance Capezio Center and Broadway Dance Center in New York, Millennium Dance Complex in Los Angeles, and most recently in professional intensive training programs with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and NW Dance Project in Portland, Oregon. Sydney has performed new works and repertoire of renowned choreographers. An integral part of Sydney’s dance training, and the key to her strength and flexibility, is her adherence to the philosophy and principles of Pilates, as well as her dedication of time every day to its practice. At Gramercy Pilates in New York, Sydney refined her practice with comprehensive advanced teacher training in classical and contemporary Pilates repertoire for both mat and equipment, including techniques for injury and rehabilitation, and pursued recognition as a Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) Certified Teacher.

• 

  Rebecca Ceccin

  Rebecca has over 20 years of fitness and pilates expertise. She’s originally from Dallas, TX but Northern VA has been her home for over 20 years. Rebecca enjoys the outdoors, entertaining friends and spending time with her three grow sons. She started her journey in the health and fitness industry in the 1990’s as a Personal Trainer at South Run Rec Center and Burke Racquet & Swim Club. In 2005, her interest was piqued in Pilates by attending a mat class and saw what it could do for the abs! When she was introduced to the Pilates Reformer she never looked back and knew it was her calling. Being an avid runner she realized the benefits of this low impact workout as a perfect complement for more high impact exercises. Rebecca is a Comprehensively trained Pilates Teacher and studied under the direction of Master Trainers Christopher Potts and Dilla Mastrangelo ,who are second generation students of Joseph Pilates.

• 

  Nicole Holt

  Nicole Holt has been in the fitness and therapy industry for 20 years. She is a licensed physical therapist assistant and massage therapist. Areas of specialty training include Pilates, Yoga, Orthopedics & Geriatric Rehabilitation, and Pain Management. Due to her vast experience she has seen what a lifetime of bad habits, poor posture and lack of exercise does to the human body. Her passion is to help people move better and be their best self as they walk through life. Nicole is originally from Bend Oregon, but has been in the Northern Virginia area for 13 years. She spends any available down time at Lake Anna with her husband and teenage daughter.

• 

  Dawn Bethelmy

  Dawn Bethelmy is a retired U.S. Air Force Officer with 21 years of honorable service to our nation. She continues her service to our country by supporting several Naval Surface Warfare Programs at her current position as Assistant Deputy Program Manager at the Washington Navy Yard. In the military she was a Physical Training Instructor, avid half marathon runner, intramural volleyball team member and she currently holds a brown belt in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP). In August 2018, after a sciatica attack and continuous challenges with double-curvature scoliosis, Dawn began her Pilates journey. Like most things she does, Dawn quickly excelled at Pilates and love loves the fact that Pilates is challenging but at the same time low impact. It was the perfect fit for her and has helped her recover from her own medical injuries. In her free time, Dawn enjoys camping, hiking and spending time with her family and dog, Freya. Pilates has markedly improved every facet of Dawn’s life and she can’t wait to continue her journey and share her experiences with Club Pilates members.

• 

  Larry Kouch

  General Manager

  Larry has worked in the fitness world for over 20 years at places like Bally's and Gold's Gym. He is friendly, positive and customer service oriented. He will take care of you!

• 

  Evy (Avy) Flores

  Sales Rep

  Evy is currently studying to be a Pilates Instructor and will be joining our team soon. She has worked at Gold's Gym and has been active in fitness her whole life.